Wire-clamp.



J. A. FOSSUM.

WIRE CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 27, 1912.

Afzofkeys [Nl/ENTO/e TTT o s su m-l Patented Dec. 30

f TNESSES COLUQIM VLANOURAPH Co., WASHINGTON. D. c.

JOHN A. FOSSUM, OF WAUKON, IOWA.

WIRE-CLAMP.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN A. FossUM, a citizenof the United States, residing at VVaukon, in the county of Allamakeeand State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inWire-Clamps; and I do hereby declarethe following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in fence machinesand more particularly to a wire clamping device adapted to be used intensioning the longitudinal wires of a fence. v

The object of my invention is to provide a device, by means of which thewires of a fence may be drawn as taut as desired before being secured tothe line posts.

Other objects and advantages will be hereinafter more clearly set forthin the specification and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown the preferred form which myinvention may take.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device as appliedto use. Fig. 2 is a plan View of a portion of the device, the supportingstandard therefor being shown in section, and, Fig. 3 is a longitudinalsectional view through one end of the winding shaft showing the wiregripper.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, similar referencenumerals designating corresponding parts throughout the several views, 1is a standard, the lower end of which is pointed so as to be readilyinserted into the ground. The standard is provided with a foot piece 2near this lower end so that pressure may be applied thereon to easilydrive the point of the standard into the ground.

A sleeve 3 is adapted to encircle the standard and is provided with anarm t, the outer end of said arm terminating in a sleeve 5. A shaft 6 isrotatably mounted in the sleeve 5 and is provided at one end with ahandle 7 and at its opposite end with a wire engaging device 8.

In the drawing I have shown the wire engaging device in the form of awedge l1 adapted to fit in the substantially V-shaped notch 12 formed inthe end of the shaft 6. The end of the notch 12 is enlarged in the formof a groove, as shown at 13, to form Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led September 27, 1912.

Patented Dec. 30, 1913. Serial No. 722,650.

a seat for the line wire of the fence to be tightened. The end of thewedge is formed so as to coperate with the notch or in holding a wire inplace. The wedge is provided with a bore therethrough which issufficiently wide to allow considerable lateral movement of the wedge,so that a wire may be gripped between one face of the wedge and theadjacent face of the notch in the end of the shaft.

A bolt 14 is formed integrally with or secured to the shaft 6 andextends longitudinally thereof, as clearly shown in the drawings, thebolt being disposed to extend from one of the inclined faces of thenotch to one side of the groove 13, so as not to interfere with theplacing of a wire therein. The bolt is threaded and provided with a wingnut 15, whereby the wedge may be moved into the notch to grip a wiredisposed in the groove or between the face of the wedge and notch. Alratchet wheel 9 is pinned, or otherwise secured, to the shaft 6adjacent the sleeve 5 and is adapted to be engaged and prevented fromrotating in one direction by a dog l0, pivotally secured to the arm 4f.

In operation the standard l is forced into the ground adjacent the linewires of a fence and the sleeve 3 is slipped thereover and movedadjacent the line wire to be tightened, the wire is slipped into thegroove or between the face of the wedge and the adjacent face of thenotch, and the nut 15 is adjusted to clamp the wedge firmly against thewire. Said shaft is then turned until suiiicient tension has been givento the line wire. The handle 7 may then be released, as the dog 10 willhold the shaft 6 in the desired position, and the line wire securelystapled or otherwise fastened to the line posts of the fence.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a device, whichis of simple and cheap construction and by means of which the line wiresof a fence may be placed under the desired tension.

While I have described my invention as particularly adapted fortightening the line wires of a fence, I desire it to be understood thatthe vert-ical wires of a fence as well, and in fact any wires, such astelephone or telegraph wires, etc., may be tightened thereby.

l/Vhat I claim as new is:

1. A wire clamp providing a shaft having a notch in one end thereof, abolt secured at one end in the notched end of said shaft and to one sideof the center thereof, in combination with means slidable on said boltfor clamping a wire in the notch.

2. A wire clamp providing a shaft having a V shaped notch in one endthereof, a bolt secured at one end in the notched end of said shaft andto one side of the center thereof, and a V shaped block slidable on saidbolt for clamping a wire in the notch.

3. A wire clamp providing a shaft having a V shaped notch in one endthereof, a bolt secured at one end longitudinally in the notched end ofsaid shaft and to one side of the center thereof, a V shaped blockslidable on said bolt provided with a bore of a larger diameter than thediameter of the bolt whereby the block is capable of longitudinal andlateral movement on said bolt, and a nut on said bolt for engaging withsaid block whereby a wire may be clamped in the notch.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN A. FOSSUM. lVitnesses:

HANS G. JOHNSON, A. C. LARsoN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C.

